Which UAE freezone should you pick?
10 freezones covering the common tech / consulting / fintech scenarios: DIFC, ADGM, DMCC, Dubai Internet City, IFZA, Meydan, SPC, RAK DAO, Hub71, Dubai South. Enter your situation and see the top 3 with a score breakdown, then explore each in detail.
Your top 3 matches
DMCC
(Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)Landed pickThe UAE's most popular freezone. 25,000+ companies. Good default for most tech consulting, holding, or commercial activities.
IFZA
(International Free Zone Authority)The aggressive-pricing challenger. Dubai-based, covers most general activities, no office required for basic tiers.
Meydan
(Meydan Free Zone)Dubai budget freezone tied to the Meydan business district. Popular for remote consultants.
All 10 freezones
Ranked by fit for your inputsSPC
SharjahSharjah's low-cost freezone. AED 5,750 starting, the cheapest legitimate UAE option.
Dubai South
DubaiAirport-adjacent freezone. Good for logistics, aviation, and businesses that value proximity to Al Maktoum.
Hub71
Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi's startup ecosystem. Subsidised licences + housing + health + office for qualifying startups.
DIC
DubaiDubai's original tech hub. Microsoft, Meta, Google, Oracle regional HQs are here.
RAK DAO
Ras Al KhaimahThe UAE's crypto / web3 / DAO-friendly freezone. Licences virtual-asset activities that other freezones won't.
DIFC
DubaiThe UAE's financial-services flagship. English common-law jurisdiction. Fintech Hive scheme for early-stage.
ADGM
Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi's English common-law financial hub. Strong VC, family office, and fintech cluster.
The 30-second decision path
Before the cost tables: freezones cluster into four families, and most founders only need to compare within one.
Regulated financial services, funds or fintech?
You need a financial centre with its own courts and regulator: DIFC (Dubai) or ADGM (Abu Dhabi). Nothing else substitutes; pick by city and regulator fit.
Solo consultant or small tech studio optimising cost?
The value zones: IFZA, Meydan, SPC. Licences from the low thousands of dirhams, fast setup, flexi-desk presence. Compare visa quotas and renewal costs, not brochures.
Trading, commodities or a team that needs real offices?
The established heavyweights: DMCC or Dubai South for logistics reach, DIC for tech teams that want an ecosystem address.
Abu Dhabi-based startup or raising from UAE funds?
ADGM for the entity, and if you are venture-backed look at Hub71 for the ecosystem, incentives and the entrepreneur Golden Visa route.